An orchestra knows during the first two minutes of the first rehearsal whether or not they are going to enjoy the person on the podium.

I'll know I'm reaching the total American market when I'm asked to do a video for MTV.

We are a global society, and one does not have to be from Germany to give a great performance of Beethoven.

In some ways I believe music is the more convincing communicator of ideas than words. For instance, we can hear of Kordaly and Bartok and recognise them as Hungarian, but very few of us speak Hungarian, but the music itself speaks to more people.

I've come to the conclusion that a long personal relationship is next to impossible for me. Ultimately, music is a possessive mistress.

I have been long associated with British music. I have favoured it as my alternate music next to American.

A music director cannot and should not be chosen on the basis of a first date. It is not so difficult to make a good impression with a single appearance, usually containing some of a conductor's party pieces, works they have performed successfully many times before.